Historical data on women

Data on women’s right to vote and to stand for election, the date at which the first woman entered parliament, and female Heads of State or Government

Women's suffrage

Women’s right to vote

Right to vote
Year in which women obtained the right to vote

1946

National or local
Suffrage: National or Local

National

Restricted or unrestricted suffrage
Suffrage: Restricted or Universal

Restricted

Notes
Suffrage: Additional Notes on right of suffrage

According to the Electoral Law of 1946, suffrage was optional and secret for women, but obligatory for men. The 1956 Constitution made the vote obligatory for all literate women but maintained discrimination against illiterate women in that they could not stand for election. The 1965 Constitution extended the right to be elected to all citizens, yet the vote was still not compulsory for illiterate women.

Right to vote
Year in which women obtained the right to vote

1985

National or local
Suffrage: National or Local

National

Restricted or unrestricted suffrage
Suffrage: Restricted or Universal

Universal

Notes
Suffrage: Additional Notes on right of suffrage

The Constitution of 1985 extended the right to vote to all citizens and established equality between the sexes.

Women’s right to stand for election

Right to stand for election
Year in which women obtained the right to stand for election

Notes
Stand for Election: Additional Notes on right to stand for election

According to the Electoral Law of 1946, suffrage was optional and secret for women, but obligatory for men. The 1956 Constitution made the vote obligatory for all literate women but maintained discrimination against illiterate women in that they could not stand for election. The 1965 Constitution extended the right to be elected to all citizens, yet the vote was still not compulsory for illiterate women.

First woman in parliament

First woman in parliament
Year in which first woman entered parliament